Hello, beautiful people of Calgary!
The warm days are around the corner (literally tomorrow), so I'm looking at all the events of the week with extra excitement. We have a lot this week, especially for Mother's Day weekend.
We've been thinking about re-introducing a second weekly edition of the Scoop — but making it for parents. That would let us keep this edition fully focused on adults-only events, and the second one (let's say Thursday) would be full with kid-friendly stuff.
It would obviously require a separate opt-in, so don't worry — you won't be bombarded with kids events if you haven't signed up for it. Let's vote!
Should we introduce Scoop for Parents?
Let’s get to it.
Was this e-mail shared with you? Sign up here.
Share the Scoop, Get Rewarded Help us grow Calgary’s best community and earn rewards.
3 Referrals: A 150-character Classified Ad or Birthday Shoutout.
10 Referrals: A $20 gift card (Monogram Coffee, Village Ice Cream, etc).
50 Referrals: A $100 dinner on us (The Keg, Earls, Cactus Club etc.).
The Spring Survey is out and according to it we're doing okay. Three-quarters of Calgarians rate their quality of life as good. We beat the national municipal average on trust by more than 10 per cent. Roads and traffic are still the top concern at 39 per cent. And 57 per cent of respondents said they'd rather pay a bit more in taxes than see services cut. The full report goes to Executive Committee today. See the results
The new lawn watering schedule starts now. Council approved the updated Water Efficiency Plan, aiming to cut per-capita water use by 20 per cent by 2040. Sprinklers and irrigation are allowed up to three days a week, year-round. Even addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Odd addresses get Wednesday, Friday, Sunday. The City is asking you to water during cooler hours so it doesn't all evaporate, and they've said the rollout is education-first — meaning no one is getting fined this summer for a Sunday sprinkler at the wrong house. Trees, food gardens, and new plantings are exempt. Read the plan
The downtown Hudson's Bay building is becoming condos. The historic Stephen Avenue location has a buyer. Astra Real Estate Corp., a Calgary firm that converts empty office towers into housing, signed the purchase agreement back in February. No public timeline yet. The Bay went bankrupt last year and most of its real estate across the country is sitting empty in the same way. Stephen Avenue gets to keep some life. See the story
We have a new synthetic skating rink. A year-round outdoor rink opened Friday on 32nd Street SE near 17th Avenue, part of the International Avenue revitalization in Forest Lawn. Synthetic ice panels mean you can lace up in May and glide around like it's January. Free, open 24 hours, no booking. The block also picked up a new mural by Paula Timm and some pop-up retail space along the way. See the rink
This is Porscha.
She's an 8-year-old, 64-pound pit bull mix with excellent leash skills, fully housetrained, comfortable in a crate or home alone. She's smart — she works through the hardest puzzle feeders and knows everything from "sit" to "roll over."
She likes consistency. Her bed stays where she left it, and she'd rather come to you for snuggles than be reached for. She still has zoomies in her, especially when her person walks in, and she'll never turn down a hike. When she's home, she settles in and soaks up love.
She's open to older kids, fine with cats, and wants to be your only dog. Her adoption fee has already been covered by a donor.
How to adopt: Porscha lives in a foster home, so she's not available through the regular booking calendar. Fill out the Adopt From Foster form to set up a meeting. She's also a Patient Paw, so you can ask about a sleepover before you commit. See her profile
Tuesday, May 5
The Starling Effect. Sci-fi thriller world premiere by Verb Theatre. Vertigo Studio Theatre, runs through May 9. Get tickets
Wednesday, May 6
Fit For A King. The Lonely God Tour with Invent Animate, Ten56 and Acres. Metalcore at The Palace Theatre, doors 6 p.m. Get tickets
Karan Aujla — P-Pop Culture Tour. The Punjabi superstar fills the Saddledome. 8 p.m. Get tickets
Thursday, May 7
Asim Azhar. The Pakistani pop singer plays MacEwan Ballroom at the University of Calgary. 8 p.m. Get tickets
Friday, May 8
Postcards from Italy, Classics 3. The full orchestra at Jack Singer Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour. Canadian rock legends at the Saddledome with April Wine. 8 p.m. Get tickets
Joyce Manor + Militarie Gun + Teen Mortgage + Combat. Pop-punk at The Palace Theatre, doors 6 p.m. Get tickets
Inglewood Night Market. The summer market is back at 10th Ave & 10th Street SE, 5–10 p.m. Details
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale. 200,000+ used books at the Calgary Curling Club. May 8–10 by appointment ($5 event fee on exit); May 11–17 walk-in ($3 event fee on exit). Banker's-box-for-$20 day on May 17. 720 3rd St NW. Get tickets
CRLC Rock & Mineral Show. 50 vendors, demonstrations, silent auction, kids' sapphire mining. Friday 1–9 p.m., Saturday 10–6, Sunday 10–5 at Vivo for Healthier Generations, 11950 Country Village Link NE. Get tickets
Saturday, May 9
Aspen Crossing Mother's Day Train. Three-course supper aboard a vintage train, gift for Mom, staged train robbery. 5 p.m. departure. Brunch version Sunday at 11 a.m. Get tickets
Mother's Day Tea at Lougheed House. Afternoon tea in the historic conservatory by A Certain Flair Catering. Saturday and Sunday. Includes museum admission. Reserve
Spruce Meadows Mother's Day Brunch. Brunch in Gallery on the Green with show jumping on the side. Saturday and Sunday. Reserve
Day Out With Thomas at Heritage Park. Real train rides with Thomas the Tank Engine, music corner, lawn games. Saturday and Sunday. Get tickets
4th Annual Mother's Day Extravaganza. Free market by Taylor Markets at Bowness Community Association (7904 43 Ave NW). Food trucks, miniature horses, baby goats, free loot bags for the first 100 moms each day. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Details
Calgary Mother's Day Spring Market. 100+ vendors at Prince's Island Park. May 8–10. Get tickets
Vastive at The Palace. Alberta debut, doors 9 p.m. Get tickets
The Verdict — previews begin at Vertigo Theatre. Courtroom thriller based on the Paul Newman film. Previews May 9–13, official opening May 14. 115 9th Ave SE. Get tickets
Sunday, May 10
Fairmont Palliser Crystal Ballroom Brunch. Welcome mimosa, raw bar, omelette and carving stations, chocolate fountain. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Reserve
TELUS Spark Brunch + Science. Family-friendly brunch with hands-on exhibits. Two seatings: 9–11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Each mom gets a carnation. Reserve
Heritage Park Mother's Day Brunch. Six seatings throughout the day at Gasoline Alley Museum. Sold out — call 403-268-8500 to check for cancellations. Details
Two Pianos, One Heart at Bella Concert Hall. Mother's Day concert with the Bergmann Duo and the Festival Chorus. 2:30 p.m. (pre-concert chat at 1:45 p.m.). Get tickets
Calgary Phil — Symphony Sundays for Kids: Wandering with Wonder. Family-friendly classical performance built around little kids. Jack Singer Concert Hall, 3 p.m. Get tickets
Hangar Flight Museum Mother's Day Workshop. Aviation-themed flowerpot painting workshop with a paper airplane bouquet. Workshops at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mom gets in free with paid admission. 4629 McCall Way NE. Get tickets
Roller Palace Mother's Day Family Skate. Moms get in free with their kids. 12–5 p.m. Details
Want your event to be featured? Hit reply and send us the details. If it's cool, we'll share it with Calgary.
Electric Six + Tragedy | Dickens | Tue, 7 PM Info
Gabriel Rutledge — Don't Read The Comments | Commonwealth Bar | Tue, 7:30 PM Get tickets
Lolai'rei Capes | Gravity Espresso | Tue, 6:30 PM Info
Common Tuesdays (Cinco de Mayo) | Commonwealth Bar | Tue, 10 PM Info
Ship Hop Spring Edition | Ship & Anchor | Wed, 8 PM Info
MIXTAPE Trivia | Dickens | Wed, 7 PM Info
Lucas Elliott | Gravity Espresso | Wed, 6:30 PM Info
Matt Blais | King Eddy | Thu, 7:30 PM Info
Lorn Doiron | Gravity Espresso | Thu, 6:30 PM Info
Eric Kane | King Eddy | Fri, 8:30 PM Info
Happy Hour with CELIN | King Eddy | Fri, 4:30 PM Info
Moonbean + Ghost Twin + High School Track Meet + Vanden Dool + Hello Moth | Dickens | Fri, 8 PM Info
Songwriters Session — Blake Reid + Amy Bishop + Lindon Conroy | Ironwood Stage & Grill | Fri, 8 PM Info
Acoustic Afternoons with Mandi Leigh | King Eddy | Sat, 11:30 AM Info
The Accused AD | Dickens | Sat, 8 PM Info
Krystal Jessup & Rocket Alexander | Gravity Espresso | Sat, 6:30 PM Info
Fox Big Band | Ironwood Stage & Grill | Sat, 2 PM Info
Mother's Day Brunch with Michela Sheedy | King Eddy | Sun, 9 AM Info
Sunday Jazz Jam with The Streamline Quartet | Gravity Espresso | Sun, 2 PM Info
Poetry Slam | Dickens | Mon, 8 PM Info
Notre Dame High School Big Band | Ironwood Stage & Grill | Mon, 7 PM Info
Have a great week.
P.S. Forward this to someone who brings their own candy to the movie theater (we applaud them).